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North Ayrshire's location within one of the most striking, scenically rich parts of Scotland offers many opportunities and advantages for those living and working in the area. It's rural and coastal environments combine to make a wonderful quality of life.
Housing
The number of households in North Ayrshire are
expected to exceed 60,000 this year and a projected rise of 6.3 per cent is
forecast in the total number reaching 62,500 by the year 2004. The largest
increases will be in single and two adult households.
The housing area of North Ayrshire extends to some 340 square miles and includes Irvine, several medium sized towns such as Largs, Kilbirnie, Beith, Dalry, Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston, and the islands of Arran and Cumbrae.
The majority of households - around 60% -are privately owned and are largely owner-occupied. The style of housing varies widely throughout the area from secluded farm steadings and traditional sandstone villas to high quality modern family homes.
Schools
& Education
The promotion of lifelong learning, allowing individuals
to achieve their full potential, is realised through the location and provision
of some of the finest educational facilities. North Ayrshire prides itself
in having first class nurseries, schools and colleges, providing a wide range
of activities including formal teaching, open learning, leisure, arts, culture
and community based adult education.
Throughout North Ayrshire, a high level of academic attainment is achieved due largely to the strategic approach taken with all aspects of learning from pre-five services to a comprehensive programme of adult education.
North Ayrshire Council is responsible for all educational services - the area's 52 primary schools cater for nearly 13,000 pupils and vary widely in size with pupil numbers ranging from 20 to 600. All primary schools in North Ayrshire are associated with a secondary school and the two sectors work in partnership to provide continuity and progression for students. North Ayrshire provides education for nearly 10,000 young people aged from 12 to 18 in ten comprehensive schools. Students are offered a wide range of courses enabling them to proceed to employment, further education and higher education.
Tourism
& Leisure
North Ayrshire is well recognised as one of Scotland's
top tourist locations, drawing visitors from around the world with a warm
welcome to its many events and attractions-which also offer innovative insights
into local life, culture and heritage.
Coastal towns and islands with spectacular scenery are within close proximity to the main centres of population and commerce.
In addition to its maritime history and hosts of sport and leisure facilities, - North Ayrshire also offers visitors an extensive range of top quality hotels and guest houses and for the outdoor travelling visitor, a wide range of attractive caravan parks and campsites.
Golf
Golf has been played in Ayrshire for over two hundred
years and boasts the highest density of golf courses in Scotland. It wasn't
until the mid 19th century that Ayrshire and golf really came together and
now the region is renowned for its many world famous golf courses including
the Open Championship courses of Turnberry and Royal Troon, where the 2004
Open Championship will take place.
In North Ayrshire there are 20 golf courses set in unspoilt countryside and island locations all commanding spectacular views. North Ayrshire's newest course is currently being developed at Southern Gailes near Irvine. This flagship 136 hectare investment is highly accessible and commands panoramic views over the Firth of Clyde.
Sailing
and Watersports
The Firth of Clyde has some of the finest sailing
waters in the world. Cruising and sailing in Scotland has become one of the
most popular leisure pursuits - driving the development of other major attractions
and facilities in North Ayrshire. The sheltered, deep waters and the picturesque
settings of the coast with many harbours, ports and marinas make this an ideal
area in which to enjoy the best that sailing can offer.
Organised yachting has well established roots on the West coast with many prominent yacht clubs. Tuition, organised events and shoreside facilities are offered by many clubs to their members and visitors alike. Two impressive marinas at Largs and Ardrossan provide berthing, services and storage facilities for resident and visiting yachts people and boating enthusiasts.
One of the most dynamic and exciting new developments in North Ayrshire is Scotland's first National Sailing Academy - the biggest construction project ever dedicated to sailing excellence in Scotland. The coastal town of Largs was selected by the Royal Yachting Association, Sport Scotland and the Lottery Commission for this exciting new development. The facility provides a superb fully equipped international championship venue. Click here for Website
North Ayrshire is also home to Scotland's Centre of Excellence, the National Watersports Centre, where anyone from beginners to advanced sailors can take part in sail-boarding, windsurfing, diving, dinghy sailing and powerboat handling.
North Ayrshire Council has a dedicated team of professionals dealing specifically with the tourism sector. Assistance is given to tourism companies to identify key development sites and locations within North Ayrshire. Ongoing support is provided to continually develop and grow their tourism operations.
North
Ayrshire Council is very proactive in investing in the area's tourism product
through innovative initiatives in key market segments such as golf, sailing,
cycling, eco-tourism and local craft development. Visit some of North Ayrshire's
existing tourism attractions below :
The beautifully integrated collection of ecclesiastical buildings was designed by William Butterfield as a Theological College and completed in 1851.
The cathedral, with its 123 foot steeple and tall pointed roofs, became the seat of the Bishop of The Isles in 1876 and thus the Collegiate church was elevated to the status of Cathedral of The Isles
A mill has been recorded on this site since the 14th Century but the present mill dates from 1640. Water from the River Garnock powers a 6 m diameter wheel which drives a French millstone through ingenious cast iron gearing - used originally for producing flour.
Kilwinning Abbey was regarded as one of Scotland's finest until the Reformation when it fell into disrepair. However the shell that remains is worthy of a visit.
Kilwinning Abbey Tower is operated on behalf of North Ayrshire's Museum Service by the Kilwinning and District Preservation Society which provides a year round programme of events.
The second major project will see the Victorian engine shed from the world famous Stephens Yard at Linthouse, Govan - rebuilt at Irvine it will house major exhibits on shipbuilding and Scottish maritime history. Click here for Website
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